That said, being a combat vet, I do not think these men and women would want us to mourn their death. Rather we should celebrate their sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

The oath:

"I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. "

Gretchen is doing a great thing with this thread. Thank you.

If we want to discuss the politics of the conflicts, it probably should be in he DH, yes? Of couse, I have opinions to offer. LOL

There was a nice piece on the news last night about this man and another soldier from the north suburbs who were recently killed in the Middle East. It was the third story from the beginning and talked about how Sgt. Antonik wanted to serve in the military and was happy when he received this particular assignment (special ops). I think people in the Chicago area support the troops whether they agree with the war or not. Gary Sinise speaks out about soldiers and families and does a lot to help raise awareness and support for them. He's from Chicago and a well-known actor, does a great job of keeping the message alive.

Thank you, Grace for this thread, I look at it almost every day.

I've been Boo'd... right off the stage!

Aaahh, I have been defrosted! Thank you, Bonny and Asiel!
Brrrr, I've been Frosted! Thank you, Asiel and Pomtzu!

"That's the power of kittens (and puppies too, of course): They can reduce us to quivering masses of Jell-O in about two seconds flat and make us like it. Good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or they'd surely have taken over the world by now." -- Paul Lukas

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Christopher J. Moon, 20, of Tucson, Ariz., died July 13 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device on July 6 in Arghandab, Afghanistan.